Hockey’s Future Organizational Rankings, Spring 2011 21-30

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Photo: Beau Bennett, one of the top-ranked prospects for the Pittsburgh Penguins, could develop into a complementary linemate for Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. (Photo courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)

Below is the bottom third of the NHL organizations in terms of prospects as voted on by Hockey’s Future staff. To determine the ranking, each team’s entire prospect pool was taken into consideration. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF’s prospect criteria. The rankings are done twice a year, in the fall and spring.

Strengths: The Sharks have established a reputation for gleaning skilled forwards and versatile rearguards from the amateur ranks. They have also consistently maintained a deep goaltending stable. Those trends persist within their current crop of prospects. Having recently developed several talented forwards such as Ryan Clowe and Logan Couture, San Jose has sought players who fit a similar mold. They are not Miikka Kiprusoff or Vesa Toskala but goalies Alex Stalock and Thomas Greiss likely have NHL futures. Weaknesses: Other than power forward Charlie Coyle, there does not seem to be a prospect in the San Jose system who projects as a potential elite player. Compared with their recent periods of success, the depth in their organization is just average at present. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Charlie Coyle, RW, 2. Alex Stalock, G, 3. Taylor Doherty, D, 4. Thomas Greiss, G, 5. Benn Ferriero, C. Lost to Graduation:Logan Couture, Jason Demers.

Strengths: Better drafting in recent years makes the future a little brighter in Minnesota. Top prospect Mikael Granlund has starred at the highest level in Finland for the past two years and is not far away from making an NHL impact. Blueliners Jared Spurgeon and Marco Scandella impressed in extensive action with the Wild this year, while numerous others made their NHL debuts. Two-way types like Colton Gillies and Cody Almond are safe bets for bottom-six NHL careers. Matt Hackett has established himself as a legitimate NHL prospect. Weaknesses: Aside from Granlund, there’s no top-end talent in the system. The right wing is an area of major concern and there’s little depth in goal. As a whole, the Wild’s prospect group is fairly old. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Mikael Granlund, C, 2. Marco Scandella, D, 3. Matt Hackett, G, 4. Jason Zucker, LW, 5. Tyler Cuma, D. Lost to trade:Anton Khudobin.

Strengths: The Flyers have mined the free-agent prospect pool and invested late picks judiciously to augment their ongoing lack of early-round draft selections. In addition to the recently graduated goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, three of the Flyers’ top ten prospects were free-agent signings. Of the other seven, none were first-rounders and only one was a second-round selection. They possess respectable depth on the wings as well as the blue line to complement a relatively complete team bursting with talented centermen at the NHL level. Weaknesses: Philadelphia has been in win-now mode, adding big-ticket veterans to a young core of players on the big club. That approach has left them with few assets to invest in highly bankable prospects in terms of both their long-term ceiling and their immediate ability to contribute. Despite the development of Bobrovsky and their top-rated prospect Joacim Eriksson, lingering uncertainty in goal casts its shadow over the present and future of the organization. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Joacim Eriksson, G, 2. Eric Wellwood, LW, 3. Erik Gustafsson, D, 4. Brendan Ranford, LW, 5. Joonas Lehtivuori, D. Lost to Graduation:Andreas Nodl, Oskars Bartulis, Sergei Bobrovsky. Lost to Trade: Patrick Maroon.

Strengths: Atlanta has stockpiled aggressive, high-character, two-way forwards and sought to develop strong organizational depth on defense. Their main roster continues to be among the youngest in the NHL, and they have not been shy about giving first-year pros roster spots and ice time. Winger Carl Klingberg, center Patrice Cormier, and defenseman Arturs Kulda are all big, high-motor players who bring sturdiness and grit. Weaknesses: While some players like Spencer Machacek are beginning to show linear development that may firm up an NHL career, the Thrashers seem to be in a bit of flux overall. Prospects such as Angelo Esposito and Akim Aliu have underperformed so far in their professional careers. Plenty of promise remains but results and direction seem to be lacking. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Carl Klingberg, LW, 2. Patrice Cormier, C, 3. Spencer Machacek, RW, 4. Paul Postma, D, 5. Arturs Kulda, D. Lost to graduation: Alex Burmistrov

Strengths: There aren’t a lot of bright lights shining on the Flames prospect list, but Tim Erixon is one player to get excited about. He just finished a tremendous SEL season (and a wonderful WJC showing) and should be knocking on the NHL’s door as early as next season. Beyond that it is a list that is big on heart, grit and leadership, with a number of blue-collar, character players. Weaknesses: Lack of talent. The Flames have traded away picks and drafted poorly over the past four or five years, and it shows in their prospect pool. They are a lunch pail crew with bottom-sixers and second and third pairing defensemen. There is also not much in the way of goaltending depth. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Tim Erixon, D, 2. Greg Nemisz, RW, 3. Mitch Wahl, C, 4. T.J. Brodie, D, 5. Ryan Howse, LW. Lost To Graduation:Mikael Backlund, Brendan Mikkelson.